Censorship on Stand-Up: Varun Grover Flags the Risks of Political Comedy with a Sharp Disclaimer
Varun Grover, known for his work as a writer, lyricist, and comedian, has dropped a new stand-up clip from his latest comedy tour, Nothing Makes Sense. Known for his sharp wit and socio-political commentary, Varun Grover didn’t hold back in this latest set, touching upon the increasing challenges faced by comedians in India. But before getting into his set, he started with a pointed disclaimer that subtly alluded to the recent controversy surrounding fellow comedian Kunal Kamra.
The video starts with Varun Grover acknowledging how sensitive the stand-up comedy scene has become today. “These are jokes. Venue ki isme koi galti nahi hain. Mera bhi nahin hai. Humare time ki hai. If offended, break a clock,” he quips. The cleverly worded disclaimer is both tongue-in-cheek and layered, subtly shifting responsibility away from the performer and the venue, and onto the “times” we live in. This line appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to Kamra’s recent troubles, which have again highlighted the volatility surrounding political comedy in India.
Varun Grover Breaks Down the New Reality—“I will not apologise… “
In March, Kunal Kamra found himself at the center of controversy after he made remarks about Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a show at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai. The show led to backlash from Shiv Sena members, who vandalized the venue in protest. Kamra responded with a characteristic mix of satire and defiance, comparing the incident to someone overturning a truck full of tomatoes because they didn’t like the butter chicken they were served. He later issued a firm statement: “I will not apologise… I don’t fear this mob & I will not be hiding under my bed, waiting for this to die down.”
Varun Grover’s disclaimer comes across as a calculated move to shield both the venue and possibly himself from potential fallout. At the same time, it underscores the absurd reality of having to issue such warnings in a country that claims to uphold artistic freedom and democratic values.
During his set,Varun Grover delved into the grim reality of being a comedian in today’s India. “Comedian waise bhi… badi safe life nahi hain comedians ki,” he said. “Koi bhi kahi bhi uthake apko… Munawar Faruqui ko hi jail jana pada pata hoga apko. Ek joke kiya usne aur jail chala gaya. 3 mahine jail mein raha. Jail se aaya 100 din Kangana Ranaut ke show mein raha, bohot buri halat hain. Bahot mushkil hain iss samay comedian hona.”
“Comedians anyway don’t live the safest lives,” Varun Grover said during his set. “At any time, from anywhere, someone can just pick you up. You must have heard about Munawar Faruqui. He had to go to jail, all because of a joke he supposedly made. He ended up spending three months behind bars. And after getting out, he spent 100 days on Kangana Ranaut’s reality show. Things are really bad. Being a comedian in today’s India is incredibly difficult.”
Through this monologue, Varun Grover referenced the 2021 arrest of comedian Munawar Faruqui, who was jailed for allegedly making offensive jokes, some of which, incidentally, he hadn’t even delivered. Faruqui’s appearance on Kangana Ranaut’s reality show also became a moment of satire in Grover’s set, where he pointed out the irony and the difficult choices comedians face today just to remain visible.